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Capes and Coats: Real vs. Repo

Now we have spend a lot of time discussing how to tell original weapons and accessories from the repos, but how about the clothing. Capes, cloaks, coats, belts, helms, ect. So do you guys have any tips, tricks, or other advice on how to tell the difference.

What I'm doing now is comparing items to ones known be original (i.e. to the figures I had as a kid and personal removed from the card). If the two have enough similarities then the item in question is real. But in case where I don't have anything to compare to I just have to hope for the best. Any help would be much appreciated.

"I'm sick and tried of these motherfrakkking Sith on this motherfrakkker plane!"
Mace Windu - Episode 2.5: Sith on a Plane

I think at this point, technology is so advanced that telling the difference is getting harder. I know I will never get a Vinyl Cape Jawa, because the fakes are too frequent. Bespin Leia's is probably the easiest to spot, since it has a pattern. The rest are just plastic in a certain shape. Sorry, LS, can't help you too much.

Re: Capes and Coats: Real vs. Repo

I have been having a tough time with this plastic cape issue lately, and have done a little research, so I thought I would post the results.

condition The reality is that cloaks were easily torn, and the more pristine a cape is, the more likely it is to be a fake. I would be especially wary of great looking capes on figures that are less than mint. A completely clean cape that isn't torn (getting them on and off without tearing is not something I would try) is more likely to be a repro.

The "crease" I have never seen a caped figure that did not have the top of the collar folded back when it was in the package. All capes, even if straightened or in collar up position, should retain some indication (slight indentations) that it was once in that folded position.

get a magnifying glass. The inside of the cape should have a slight texture, while the outside should be slick and shiny.

look at the cut Repros are notorious for having the holes off center.

ask about the history you can feel more certain if you simply ask sellers to be honest. The best question to ask is: "Has this item had any owner other than you, and are any of the parts repro?" The reality is, most folks will be honest, or tell you that they cannot be sure. Of course the best seller is someone who is selling a childhood collection, and took great care of the figures.

what else is included? The more that is included, the better I feel. Is the card included? The weapon?

Look at the sellers other items! This can really help. If the seller describes another item as having repros included, you can assume he is honest.

Re: Capes and Coats: Real vs. Repo

I'll add a couple of thing about vinyl capes as well. Both of this go under "Condition."

First is something JON9000 hinted at, if the cape is by itself there should be some kind of stretch marks around the arm holes. It next to impossible to remove a vinyl cape without stretching it.

Second, real capes fit the figure nicely. That is a real capes have been on a figure for some time and the vinyl should have formed to the figure. Even if this been loose for a while and/or folded funny it will fit better than a newly made cape. Repro capes lie flat very well, but don't fit the figure the same.

"I'm sick and tried of these motherfrakkking Sith on this motherfrakkker plane!"
Mace Windu - Episode 2.5: Sith on a Plane

Re: Capes and Coats: Real vs. Repo

It is true that telling authentic from fake is difficult but there are some 'common sense' type of things that will help you. I would venture to guess that the below are about 90% valid:

-if you buy a lot of vintage clothing and if the capes are flat they are fake
-if limbs are loose on the figure but the cape is pristine without any rips or tension marks then they are probably fake
-if cape and figure are different shades of brown (Ben), etc. then the cape is most likely fake
-Vintage capes were pretty thin and thus easily ripped. Repro ones are more durable and thicker. Therefore fake.
-if the cape is oily to the touch it is most likely fake. This implies freshness of creation.
-Vader capes were usually bent down around the collar in the card. If you find a black Vader cape that is flatter without this feature it is probably fake.
-Vinyl cape Jawas had a cross pattern on them (I think this is true, don't have one but have heard this). If yours doesn't have this then it is fake or possibly made from a Ben cape.

You almost have to look for ones that are roughed-up a bit to ensure authenticity. I myself don't mind the repro capes too much. As long as they look good then that is all that matters.

The problem comes into play with cloth capes. Those are really tough to spot fakes with.

Re: Capes and Coats: Real vs. Repo

Originally Posted by vader121

The problem comes into play with cloth capes. Those are really tough to spot fakes with.

And that is the real reason I first started this thread (not the vinyl info isn't welcome). I've got a couple of cloth capes (Prune Face's and Jedi Luke's) that are questionable to me. They seem pretty legit, but there's that little voice in the back of my head that says I've been fooled weapons before and cloth cape seem much easier to fake than other accessories.

"I'm sick and tried of these motherfrakkking Sith on this motherfrakkker plane!"
Mace Windu - Episode 2.5: Sith on a Plane

Re: Capes and Coats: Real vs. Repo

Originally Posted by LusiferSam

cloth cape seem much easier to fake than other accessories.

I don't think you should be so worried, for three reasons:

1. Cloth is harder to fake. Once you have the materials, you can practically mass produce vinyl capes. Repro cloth capes require cloth with proper texture, color, and thickness. If you have a legitimate example to compare, it would be extremely hard to duplicate. You then have to actually sew rather than run it through a press.

2. The return on investment is less with cloth than vinyl. Vinyl caped figures complete with weapons tend to sell for more than complete cloth caped figures. The only cloth figure that it would really make sense to go through the trouble for is snap cape Luke Jedi, and in that case you would have to duplicate the snap as well!

3. cloth capes are considerably more durable than vinyl, hence you are more likely just by sheer odds to have a legitimate cape than were it vinyl